Reviews
On Banjo—Recollections, Licks and Solos
Ben Eldridge was the banjo player for the iconic Washington, D.C. area band the Seldom Scene for 45 years. During that period of time he proved himself to be one of the most innovative and unique banjo players in the history of bluegrass music. The Seldom Scene drew from a very wide range of musical…
Cup of Loneliness
The modern bluegrass artists of today still stand out as the old souls of America, and David Peterson and 1946 are still carrying the torch with their eighth project Cup of Loneliness. This album is a concentrated focus on the classics that are highly relevant in the 2020’s. It echoes the emotions felt by millions…
Losing Game
David Peterson, a bonafide purveyor of the bluegrass spirit, delivers just that in his latest work Losing Game. There are stories of heartbreak, the country life, and many other facets to this album. Within all those things we find Peterson giving a pure transmission of Monroe’s spirit paired with the essence Hank Williams, while the…
Living In The South
This is a nice traditional project by this Kentucky-based brother duo, which highlights not only some other ‘brother acts,’ like the Delmore’s, Louvin’s, and Stanley’s, but also features selections from such folks as Bill Monroe, Roy Acuff, Scotty Wiseman, and others. Twins brothers Adam and Aaron have gathered together some great side men to round…
Pick Your Poison
Kristin Scott Benson, long-time banjo player for The Grascals and five-time winner of the IBMA’s “Banjo Player of the Year” award, and Wayne Benson, long-time mandolin player for Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, have been married 22 years. Yet this is their very first album-length collaboration. To the Bensons’ credit, this is not a…
Leaving is Believing
Although the title of this album suggests departure, when you start listening it feels like you’re arriving at a family cookout. The musicians are the well-seasoned burgers, brats and brisket and the notes of their instruments are flowing like cousin Joe’s famous apple wine. The songs are all the comfort food fixin’s you love, speaking…